Manufacturing occupies a larger proportion of the workforce in Leicester (24% of total employment compared to 15% nationally) and office sectors are relatively under-represented. It has therefore inherited an unfavourable economic structure and a large number of ageing buildings mainly used by the knitwear and textile industries.
Following the amendment to the Government’s Planning Policy Guidance Note 3 in 2005, it was advised that Local Authorities should undertake an up to date review of employment land.
The consultants “B. E Group” were therefore employed in June 2005 to assess:
- The quantity and quality (fitness for purpose) of the employment land and buildings in Leicester (i.e. all the employment allocations in the Local Plan)
- A forecast of future need and building type and size
The total cost of the study was £51,997, £40,000 of which has been funded by Leicester Shire Economic Partnership and the remaining £11,997 by Leicester City Council
The study included:
- Background and Policy Research
- Site Visits
- Face-to-face and Telephone Interviews with property market stakeholders (such as developers, investors and their agents)
- Company survey - 400 questionnaires
- Employment Areas Assessment of all employment designations
- Forecasting - Recommendations are made of future amount of employment land that will be required
- Stakeholders Event
The Full report is available to view by clicking the links below. Appendix 7 includes Employment Area Assessments and Plans.
An interactive Map showing the Employment Land Classifications can be loaded by clicking on the link below.
There will be a charge for the provision of further copies of this report. Please contact Development Plans for further information.
